Stydying in the United Kingdom: Cities, Education, Study Requirements, Activities, Housing and Universities

Are you going to do an exchange in the United Kingdom and want to know more information? You’re in the right place! In this article we give you the most important facts you need to know, from the most chosen cities, studies and requirements for students, what to do during your stay, the best accommodation options out there and some of the best Universities available.

Beyond the classroom, the UK offers a unique cultural experience. Whether you’re going to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, every corner of the country is steeped in history, art and rich cultural diversity. As an exchange student you’ll have the opportunity to explore world-class museums, attend cultural events, and immerse yourself in everyday British life through your exchange or participation in the Turing Scheme program. Enjoy!

Popular Cities for students in the United Kingdom

There are plenty of destinations in the UK to choose from and have a great time. If what you want is a cosmopolitan city full of plans to do every day and at all hours, London is the undisputed capital. You can also choose university cities par excellence, such as Oxford, Cambridge and Manchester. Looking for a smaller destination but with plenty of history? Consider Bath, Newcastle upon Tyne or Bangor. In addition, in Belfast you can also delve into Irish culture, in Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scottish culture and in Cardiff and Swansea in the Gaelic way of living.

These are some of the most popular destinations for an exchange in the United Kingdom:

LONDON London is a perfect city to carry out a study mobility program or to look for a job that allows you to increase your experience while improving your English. London is the capital city of the United Kingdom, it is characterized by being a multicultural city full of life. London's cost of living is slightly high compared to other European cities. One of the b

MANCHESTER Manchester is a university city par excellence, with thousands of students choosing it for their Erasmus and careers. It is relatively small, so you can walk almost everywhere. In fact, most students live, on average, only 15 minutes away from the university. The English city of Manchester is known, in addition to its football clubs, for its university atmos

SHEFFIELD Looking for student accommodation in Sheffield? If you want to study in the UK but want a smaller city than London, Sheffield is a great option! In this city everything is close by, the nightlife is magnificent and the cost of living is slightly cheaper than in the English capital or other cities like Cambridge. Also, if you are adventurous, you have to know

BIRMINGHAM Birmingham is the second largest city in the United Kingdom and this is also reflected in the number of students who choose this city as their Erasmus destination. Being a very large city, all young people ask the same question: Where are the best areas to live in Birmingham if you are a student? Keep on reading since we are going to give you some good tips

Study in the United Kingdom: a guide for international students

Basic requirements for international students in the United Kingdom

These are some requirements and formalities necessary for an exchange student:

Since instruction is in English, you’ll most likely have to demonstrate a B2 level in that language through standardized tests, such as IELTS or TOEFL. However, the level and specific requirements may vary depending on each university.
Exchange students from outside the European Union generally need a student visa allowing them to stay in the country for the period of the exchange. If you belong to the EU, you’ll need your passport and, if your stay is going to be longer than six months, you need to apply for a visa.
As part of the application, a motivation letter written by the student and even a recommendation letter written by professors are usually requested. You’ll probably have to include the transcript of your academic record as well.
Some universities require students to have health insurance that covers their stay. If you belong to the EU, you can use the European Health Insurance Card when your stay is shorter than 6 months. If it’s longer, you’ll have to pay a health fee to access the National Health Service (NHS).
You’ll have to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial funds to subsist for the duration of your studies.

Why study in the United Kingdom?

The United Kingdom is home to some of the most prestigious universities in the world. Institutions such as Oxford University, the University of Cambridge and the University of Edinburgh attract students from all over the world with their academic programs.

Another undisputed reason to go on exchange to the British Isles is to perfect the English language. It’s the local language and the one used by students of different nationalities to communicate with each other, so you’ll have no escape, you’re going to use it every day! There’s no better way to become fluent in a language than by practising it. In addition, you’ll be able to learn other official languages, such as Irish, Scottish Gaelic and Welsh.

Did you know that the UK is one of the most popular party destinations? In the afternoon and evening, locals tend to gather in bars to drink pints of beer and enjoy live music. At night, in most cities, you’ll be able to choose from a wide range of clubs, with mainstream or underground music. The population is very diverse, take the opportunity to get to know a little bit of everything!

Best things to do in the United Kingdom as a student

You have to visit the big cities and get to know their historic monuments, squares and museums. If you have the opportunity, explore cities like London, Manchester, Belfast, Edinburgh and Birmingham, for example. You can also enjoy the charm of English culture in some smaller cities or towns, including Cambridge, Coventry, Newcastle and Exeter.

Do you want to enjoy the English music scene? You can do so on several different scales. For the day-to-day, enjoy live music in many pubs, including The Cavern in Liverpool! For a more stylish experience visit, for example, the Royal Albert Hall, which has hosted the likes of Sir Elton John, Noel Gallagher, ABBA, Eric Clapton and the Spice Girls. If larger-scale events are your thing, you can go to shows at The 02 or Wembley, and also attend some of the festivals that take place throughout the year in the country, such as the Reading Festival, the Glastonbury Festival or the Isle of Wight Festival.

If sports are your thing, take the opportunity to attend football matches, which are usually exciting and a lot of fun. No matter where you make the exchange, there are plenty of teams worth watching, such as Arsenal, Everton, Liverpool, Crystal Palace, Manchester United, AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea, for example. Other fun sports to watch include rugby, tennis and cricket.

Another thing to know is, not everything in the UK is about cities and concrete! Dive into nature by exploring national parks such as Snowdonia, Lake District and North York Moors, where you can go hiking and be surrounded by spectacular scenery. We also recommend visiting mythical sites such as Stonehenge, Isle of Wight and Giant's Causeway. And, if you can, visit the beautiful Cotswolds, composed of villages and areas of the English countryside worthy of movies.